Pegasus World Cup 2018 Boosts Prizemoney from $12 to $16 Million

While Aussie thoroughbred fans do not have a lot going on during January, something about it being too hot, or some such, they can look to the United States and cast a glance or two in the direction of the 2018 Pegasus World Cup (about 1800 m).

The second edition of the race is not until late January of 2018, January 28 in Australia, which is just the right amount of time to brush up on form for the American gallopers.

The Pegasus World Cup last year billed itself as the world’s richest horse race, with $US12 million on the line for 12 horses, with connections paying for a barrier, similar to what happens in The Everest.

A new wrinkle, however, for the world’s richest horse race, is that in 2018, it will be even richest-ier, as the prizemoney has been bumped up by four million dollars. The increase alone is not too far behind the total prize pool of the Melbourne Cup, if we can be forgiven for talking about a million AUD as though it is not significant.

We are always extremely generous and magnanimous when it comes to other peoples’ money.

Like last year, the Pegasus World Cup with be at Gulfstream park in Florida. The mission of the race, the creation of The Stonach Group, is to attract the top horses and owners from around the world.

It was won on the first year by Arrogate. That horse has since fallen over the precipice.

If only Chris Waller were willing to run Winx on a primitive dirt track.

Each of the owners has put up $US1 million for a slot in the race. The winner’s share is substantial. Arrogate took home $US6 million for winning in 2017. That would make the 2018 winner’s share worth about $US 8 million, if our feeble math skills do not fail us, as they often have in the past.